OAR 461-160-0500: Use of Income to Determine Benefits; GA

In the GA program, the countable income (see section (1) of this rule) and adjusted income (see section (3) of this rule) of an individual or couple are used to determine benefit amount as follows: (1) For purposes of this rule, "countable income" is calculated using OSIPM countable income methodology except that (a) In-kind income (see OAR 461-001-0000) is excluded. (b) Shelter-in-kind (see OAR 461-001-0000) in the form of housing or utility assistance provided by community partners or other nongovernmental agencies is countable (see OAR 461-001-0000) in the amount paid to the individual or to a third party for shelter expenses. (2) To determine "adjusted income", the Department starts with the total countable income of the individual or couple (as applicable) and subtracts in the following order: (a) One standard deduction of $20 from unearned income. (A) This deduction may be taken from earned income if the individual has less than $20 in unearned income. (B) This deduction does not apply to a benefit based on need that is totally or partially funded by the federal government or by a nongovernmental agency. (b) One standard earned income deduction $65. (c) An income deduction for documented impairment-related work expenses or blind work expenses for an individual under age 65. (d) One half of the remaining earned income. (e) Deductions under a plan for self-support for an individual less than the age of 65. (3) Housing assistance payments are determined as follows: (a) For a single individual, or for a married individual whose spouse (see OAR 461-001-0000) is not in the OSIPM household group (see OAR 461-110-0210), the benefit amount for housing assistance is determined by subtracting the adjusted income of the individual from the one-person payment standard (see OAR 461-155-0210). (b) For a married individual whose spouse is in the OSIPM household group , the amount for housing assistance is determined by subtracting the adjusted income of the couple from the two-person standard (see OAR 461-155-0210). (c) For purposes of this rule, for individuals receiving or applying for home and community-based care (see OAR 461-001-0030) in-home services, the spouse is considered in the household group if the couple resides together with or without the benefit of a dwelling. (4) The amounts for the Personal Incidental Fund and Utility assistance are not affected by adjusted income and are determined as follows. (a) Single individuals and individuals married to someone not in the OSIPM household group receive benefits according to the one-person standard (see OAR 461-155-0210). (b) Individuals married to someone in the individual’s OSIPM household group receive benefits according to the two-person standard (see OAR 461-155-0210).